Hall of Fame Inductee - Chris Martin

There was one thing Chris Martin could do at any level he played. That was hit.

A four-year varsity starter for the Quincy High School
baseball team, Martin batted .524 as a senior with 10 doubles,
seven home runs and 39 RBI. He was an All-Western Big Six Conference
selection and the 1997 Herald-Whig Player of the Year.
Primarily a third baseman, he also pitched as a senior, posting a
3-0 record with one save. He struck out 23 batters in 22-2⁄3
innings.

Martin went on
to play at Eastern
Illinois
University, where
the Panthers won
the Ohio Valley
Conference title
three of his four
seasons. As a
sophomore,
Martin hit the
game-winning
home run in the
OVC
Tournament
title game against
Middle
Tennessee State
that sent EIU
to the NCAA
Tournament for
the first time in
school history.
Martin played
two summers in
the Central
Illinois Collegiate League, leading the league in hitting in 1999
with a .343 average while playing for the Decatur Blues. He
played for the Quincy Gems in 2000 and was second on the
team in hitting with a .287 average.

That led to a free-agent contract with the New York Yankees,
and Martin was assigned to the Class A Staten Island Yankees.
After one season in the minor leagues, Martin turned his attention
to coaching. He led the Gems to the Prospect League championship
in 2009 and is entering his fifth season as the head coach at
Quincy Notre Dame.

Martin and his wife, Kate, live in Quincy.

Acceptance Speech

First of all I would like to take this opportunit y
to thank the Hall of Fame committee for electing me
into this 2010 class. I want to congratulate the other
2010 inductees and their families for an honor that is
well deserved. It is truly a privilege to have my name
forever amongst the many great athletes that have
come through QHS.

The memories that flood my mind when I think
of my time as a Quincy High student/athlete are overwhelming.
The hard work that was put in, the pride
for being a Blue Devil, the laughter on and off the
field and the friendships that were made. These are
just some of the moments that come to my mind. To
be a Quincy High School Blue Devil is something I
will always cherish and hold dear to my heart. I knew
since I was a young kid and seeing the induction ceremonies
take place that this is a somewhere I wanted
my name to be. This night would have never been
possible without some key people in my life. These
people allowed me to make my dreams a reality.

I first want to thank my father Terry, my mother
Patty and my sister Jackie. Thank you all for being my
biggest fans. If it was not for your unconditional love
and willingness to do whatever it took for me to play
at a high level I wouldn’t have had the career I was
able to experience. All of the long trips year after year
must have taken a toll on not only your pocketbook
but your nerves as well. The countless hours my father
spent with me in the batting cages, on the QHS
baseball field and anywhere else you could throw or
hit a ball will always be some of my fondest memories.
I will never forget what you all have sacrificed for
me and for that, this day is for you!

I also want to thank Coach Lon Fulte who was
so instrumental in my development as a person first
and a baseball player second. I always had so much
confidence in myself and I truly believe that stemmed
from your belief in me. I appreciate the opportunities
you gave me over my four years as a Blue Devil.
Although those years flew bye, the memories I
have today are as vivid as ever. I thank you for your
commitment to myself, and the whole Quincy High
Baseball program.

There are so many people who have touched my
life as a baseball player/person and many who continue
to do so today as a coach. Mr. Scott Douglas,
Mr. Jim Douglas and Mr. Matt Schuckman to name
a few. Thank you for you friendship and support. It
is an honor to get to continue sharing a dugout with
you. And for Matt, it is an honor to share with you
what goes on in our dugout. I can only hope that I
touch my athletes’ lives the way these individuals and
many others have touched mine. This is truly a day
of celebration. This is the culmination of hard work,
pride, laughter and a lifetime of friendship.

Finally I would like to thank my beautiful wife
Kate. I thank you for all of your support and unconditional
love. I love you. Thanks again and congratulations
to all. Go Blue Devils!